Youth Turnout Increased in all 34 States for Which We Have Data

Building on our previous release of statewide youth voter turnout in 17 states, we recently published estimates for 2018 youth voter turnout in 17 additional states. Taken together, our analysis finds that youth turnout increased from 2014 to 2018 in all 34 states. In 27 of those states, it increased by double-digit percentage points, and in 26 of the 34 states the increase in youth turnout exceeded the increase in turnout among the overall (all ages) electorate in the state.

The analysis also highlights several states:

In Tennessee, where music superstar Taylor Swift made waves by encouraging her fans to register and vote, youth turnout more than doubled: 9.2% to 22.3%.

In Maine, which was highly ranked in our 2018 YESI, an already high youth turnout rate of 30.5% in 2014, increased even more, to 36.4% in 2018.

In Texas, site of one of 2018’s most closely watched Senate races, youth turnout more than tripled: from a very low 8.6% in 2014 to 25.8% in 2018.

CIRCLE Creates Research Impact Fellowship, Hires Inaugural Fellow

CIRCLE is excited to announce that Adam Strong has joined our team as our inaugural Research Impact Fellow.

Through this position, a first for CIRCLE, Adam is focusing on research-to-practice, particularly through digital communications and other avenues to translate research into practical tools for reflection and action-planning, as well as building relationships in youth fields for stronger practice and systemic change. Adam will also be advancing our strategic communications efforts, especially in relation to CIRCLE’s work to investigate and connect civic and economic mobility.

After Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley proposed an amendment to the Democrats’ electoral reform bill that would lower the voting age from 18 to 16 in federal elections, our director Kei Kawashima-Ginsberg was a featured guest on WGBH—Boston’s local NPR station—where she shared some of the research behind lowering the voting age.

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